What Shower Setup Do I Have??? (Pics)

Hey There, thanks for taking a peek at my post. My long pipe shower setup recently broke from the top of the tub faucet. The threads snapped off the shaft and are still stuck in the fitting that is on top of the tub faucet. I have come up dry after spending a couple of hours on the internet. I simply have no clue what kind of shower setup I have. I joined this forum hoping that someone can point me in the right direction as far as getting parts. I have included pictures to help with the deciphering of my mystery shower. There is no brand/name stamped or etched anywhere on the unit. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks again for reading in.

It is not for a clawfoot tub...it is just an old 4" tub/shower valve. They are still available, possibly from Phoenix. Code does not allow the faucet to be mountdd down there now, but whose checking???

IT is a 3 3/4" leg tub "retro shower" faucet. The riser is 3/8" chrome pipe. You have to remove the broken piece somehow, then buy a new piece of pipe the same length as the old one, probably 24" long and connect it between the faucet and the upper piece. That faucet could have been made by Chicago Specialty, but there were, and are, several other companies who make the same thing. I had one of those in my warehouse for decades before I finally decided to scrap it.

Thanks for all the info guys. I shouldnt have any problems getting what i need now that i know what im dealing with. Hardest part will be getting the top fitting off the tub faucet. In the middle of the round fitting is a piece asking for an allen key. Hopefully that will turn for me. Thanks again.

I think this is the actual faucet. I will have to measure dimensions to be sure. Now all i need to do is find a connecting pipe.

That type of setup, with the tub spout located below the rim of the tub, hasn't been okay by code for years. The reason is that if the tub was full and there was a hiccup in the water pressure (say they opened some fire hydrants or sometime like that), it could momentarily suck that dirty bath water into the piping and pollute the water for maybe not only your home, but for your neighbors as well. You should think about maybe updating things. Connect that hole in the tub to an overflow, and maybe use an adjustable bar for a new handheld shower. A new valve setup would also provide you with some anti-scald protection, which is also code for new or remodels. You can legally repair what you have, but it may not be the best idea. You couldn't legally replace it with the same, though, if the whole thing broke.

That type of setup, with the tub spout located below the rim of the tub, hasn't been okay by code for years. The reason is that if the tub was full and there was a hiccup in the water pressure (say they opened some fire hydrants or sometime like that), it could momentarily suck that dirty bath water into the piping and pollute the water for maybe not only your home, but for your neighbors as well. You should think about maybe updating things. Connect that hole in the tub to an overflow, and maybe use an adjustable bar for a new handheld shower. A new valve setup would also provide you with some anti-scald protection, which is also code for new or remodels. You can legally repair what you have, but it may not be the best idea. You couldn't legally replace it with the same, though, if the whole thing broke.

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Sure he could replace it with the same faucet. he would just need to add backflow protection and a stand alone mixing valve before the valve.

Codes and legality doesnt really concern me. I mean, I am a just a renter afterall. Currently, everyone has been taking baths to get by. I'm just looking for the quickest solution to be able to take a shower again lol. I think finding that top fitting alone, without having to buy the whole faucet setup, will be my biggest hiccup. Not sure if that piece can be purchased seperately. Thanks for quality replies.

Codes and legality doesnt really concern me. I mean, I am a just a renter afterall. Currently, everyone has been taking baths to get by. I'm just looking for the quickest solution to be able to take a shower again lol. I think finding that top fitting alone, without having to buy the whole faucet setup, will be my biggest hiccup. Not sure if that piece can be purchased seperately. Thanks for quality replies.

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Careful while renting and fixing their plumbing. Unless, it is a close relative renting out their house, you could end up getting burned if something bigger breaks. I have seen so many of those in houses where the porches wrap around the house, quaint houses with usually, big plumbing issues. I know you probably mean well. Plus, if the owner goes to sell, it might become an issue as to who did the work and come back to bite you in the butt.

if you are a renter, WHY are you messing with it in the first place?!?

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Mainly because im not a toddler and i like to take a shower Haha. It does happen to be a rented from a relative. So that helps. Tnanks for the concern though. I wouldnt have thought of all that potential disaster otherwise.

Three things relevent to this particular installation.
1. He DOES have an overflow in the tub, and
2. Backflow would only occur if the faucet was filling the tub, the water was above the overflow and the faucet was underwaterm adn the water supply was turned off and a lower faucet was opened to create a suction.
3. If the faucet had to be replaced there are "legal" faucets which could be used. They have a "gooseneck" spout to raise the outlet above the tub's rim.

It is not for a clawfoot tub...it is just an old 4" tub/shower valve. They are still available, possibly from Phoenix. Code does not allow the faucet to be mountdd down there now, but whose checking???

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Things may be a little different here in Pa. I've seen a bunch of those on claw foots, trailer tub/showers and basement showers with drylocked block walls. I never looked any further into them for obvious reasons